Spinning-top.



W. B. GILMORE.

SPINNING TOP.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 8, 1911.

1,023,637. Patented Apr. 16, 1912.

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WILLIS BRIDGHAM GILMORE, OF IDAHO SPRINGS, COLORADO.

SPINNING-TOP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 16, 1912.

Application filed June 8, 1911. Serial No. 631,956.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, VVILLIs B. GILMORE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Idaho Springs, in the county of Clear Creek and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spinning-Tops; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it apper tains to make and use the same.

This invent-ion relates to improvements in spinning tops.

The object of the invention is to provide a cheaply constructed top having reliable means for gripping the spinning cord.

Another object is to provide a simple and eflicient holder or handle for the top while it is spinning.

With these and other objects in view the invention comprises certain novel constructions, combinations and arrangements of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a top and holder constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation partly in vertical section of a top equipped with this invention.

In the embodiment illustrated a top 1 is shown the body. of which is composed of a single solid piece of wood with a steel peg 2 in its lower end such as is commonly used in tops of this character, the top being of the usual shape.

A spindle 3 of hard wood, steel or other suitable material is fixed to the upper end of the top and has a laterally projecting annular flange 4 secured thereto adjacent the upper face of the top and spaced a suitable distance therefrom to form a cord receiving groove 5 in the neck of the top, said groove being formed to fit the cord which it is desired to use in spinning the top. An annular disk 6 is arranged on the upper face of the top at the base of the spindle or pin 3 and is designed to form one wall of the groove 5 the other wall being formed by the lower faceof the flange 4, said walls being substantially parallel but diverging slightly toward their outer edges.

The string or cord 7 for spinning the top must be of sutlicient diameter to fit the groove 5 without passing to the bottom thereof even after it has been used a great many times. The cross sectional shape of this groove 5 and its location produces a very simple means for adjusting the cord 7 and which acts as a friction clutch for the cord. A quick pull on the cord forces it into the groove 5 which acts instantly on the string to provide it with pulling power and the smaller periphery of said grooved neck causes the rapid spinning of the top when the cord is drawn therethrough, such as could not be obtained with the groove formed in the large or body portion of the top.

A holder 8 is preferably provided for holding the top while pulling the cord and if desired during the spinning thereof. The holder herein shown comprises a stiff piece of wire-bent intermediately of its ends preferably at the middle thereof to form a loop-shaped handle 9 with its ends diverging and the terminals thereof bent to form seats 10 and 11 which are spaced apart a suflicient distance to engage the peg 2 and spindle 3 as shown in Fig. 1, the spindle being engaged at a point above the flange 4 as shown. These seats are substantially U-shaped with the ends of the respective seats bent toward each other and loosely engage the peg and spindle which revolve freely in said seats when the cord is pulled in either direction, the shape of the seats serving to hold said peg and spindle against accidental disengagement therefrom, but permitting them to be disengaged therefrom by centrifugal force when the top is spinning.

The side members of the handle are secured together preferably by winding a piece of wire 12 around them at the desired point these members diverging from this wire 12 to propcrly space the seats 10 and 11 for engagement with the spindle and peg of the top with which it is designed to he used.

In the operation of this improved top the holder is preferably held in the left hand of the operator and the spindle and peg of the top are seated in the seats 10 and 11 wit-h the upper part of the top tipped a little toward the operator as shown in Fig. 1 to prevent its dropping out of the seats. The spinning cord 7 is then placed in the position shown in Fig. 1 and the button or knot at the end thereof is gripped by the right hand and a quick steady pull given said cord, which causes it to be frictionally engaged with the walls of the groove 5 and the top caused to revolve rapidly and under centrifugal force to disengage from its seats and be thrown to the floor or ground where it will continue to spin.

If desired, the holder may be held with the handle in a vertical position and the spinning of the top continued in the holder.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction and operation of the invention will be readily understood without requiring a more extended explanation.

Various changes in the form, proportion and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of the claimed invention.

I claim as my invention- A device of the character described comprising a holder having forked ends, a spinning top having a spindle projecting from the upper end of the top, an annular flange forming a part of the spindle, a disk fixed to the upper surface of the top and surrounding the spindle whereby a tapering cord receiving annular groove is formed, an operating cord adapted to be located in the annular groove thus formed, one portion of which is supported by the holder and having its opposite port-ion over-lapping the other portion adjacent the handle of the holder and out of contact with the top.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WVILLIS BRIDGHAM GILMORE.

Vitnesses C. G. WELLER, P. 1. SMITH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

